By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

A DOWNTOWN business owner yesterday called on authorities to increase patrols in the area after the deli she owns was broken into twice this week.

Sophia Rolle, who owns Gregory’s Mediterranean Delights, in George Street, said the business had suffered a major financial set back after two men, in separate incidents, threw large bricks through the deli’s window, shattering the glass.

The deli has had to shell out $1,400 to have the glass replaced.

Deli manager Konstantinos Kapousouzoglu estimates a price-tag of more than $10,000 in the upcoming weeks to take the proper safety precautions.

Ms Rolle said there had been a spate of crime in the George Street area: “I have spoken with several people since this incident has happened to have more of a police presence around here, otherwise it’s pointless. A lot of people I understand have had their cars broken into, so it’s a bit of a crime hot spot.

“This area also has a huge vagrancy problem. In the evening and early in the morning, all kinds of homeless people are outside sleeping. Who knows what’s happening when we are not here?”

Early Wednesday morning and on Thursday night thieves stole soft drinks and several rolls of coins, Ms Rolle said.

However, Superintendent Stephen Dean denied that police were struggling to get a handle on crime in downtown Nassau.

Mr Dean said: “We know that people hang out in the area after hours, but that unfortunate instance is not a frequent occurrence.

“Break-ins are also down tremendously overall downtown.”

The police, he said, had recently dispatched more officers to ensure instances of crime remained on the decline.

In April, the Royal Bahamas Police Force launched an initiative in the Central Division that would see senior officers pace the streets downtown.

At the time Mr Dean said if police were constantly seen then crime would decrease ensuring that tourists were safe.

He vowed that high ranking officers including superintendents, their assistants and inspectors would all be an active force in the fight against crime.

“Everybody will be out, it will not just be the frontline constables on the road,” Mr Dean said.